Paxton, Branch trade pro-life barbs in dueling radio ads

AUSTIN — State Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, and State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas — both seeking the GOP nomination to succeed Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott — are duking it out over each other’s pro-life credentials in dueling radio ads.

Paxton fired first in a radio ad, which criticizes Branch on other issues, that began airing statewide Thursday.

“Can conservatives trust Dan Branch?” the ad says. “He authored legislation to increase access to late term third trimester abortions.”

In 2005, Branch, a state representative, added an amendment to a bill regarding the functions of some medical boards that would expand third-trimester abortions to fetuses who suffer “irreversible damage” of vital organs in addition to irreversible brain damage.

The amendment was later tabled, but nearly identical language was included in House Bill 2, the sweeping anti-abortion legislation passed by the Texas Legislature last summer.

Branch and Paxton both voted for the bill.

Branch also filed an amicus brief in November with the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals asking it to uphold House Bill 2.

Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas.(AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

Branch fired back in an ad released Friday.

“Here’s the truth: Dan Branch is 100 percent pro-life, always has been, always will be,” the ad says. “And, in Texas, we have a name for someone who lies about his opponents at the last minute: a desperate politician.”

Joe Pojman — executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, which has endorsed Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman for the GOP nomination — said while his organization would prefer legislation that did not include that language, he and staffers are dismayed by the Paxton ad.

“I find this very offensive that Paxton is using the life issue, protection of unborn babies, for political purposes by misrepresenting his opponents’ positions,” Pojman said.

Branch, Paxton and Smitherman will face off in the March 4 Republican primary.